Birth Chart

“With Saturn stationing Direct at the same time of a New Moon, we can take what we’ve learned during Saturn’s Retrograde period and apply it to the two-week period of new beginnings offered by the New Moon cycle.”

During the week of July 7, 2013, we see several interesting planetary aspects occur, all taking place in the Element of Water, potentially activating the nurturing, intuitive, feeling side or our psyches. It begins with transiting Saturn in Scorpio stationing Direct on July 8, the same day of the New Moon in Cancer. This is significant because with Saturn stationing Direct in conjunction with a New Moon, we can take what we’ve learned during the Saturn’s Retrograde period and apply it to the two-week period of new beginnings offered by a New Moon cycle. Specifically, Saturn, the teacher, just spent 5 months Retrograde offering us an opportunity to slow down and revisit areas of our lives in which we might not be living by the rules. And if we have been living by them, then it was more of a pause to give us time to consider our next move. If we’ve learned from its teachings, we can resume the exploration into our psyches and transformation through personal growth symbolized by Scorpio. As we mentioned, New Moons represent a time of the month to put into action new plans, ideas, and goals that we might have been contemplating. In Cancer, this New Moon and the two or so weeks following it offer opportunity to allow ourselves to open up and follow our instincts and feelings, and to nurture ourselves or others. Paired with Saturn stationing Direct in Scorpio, this can be the perfect time to teach others (or ourselves) to feel secure and safe through nurturing and sensitivity.

Now, if that’s not enough, Mars transiting from Gemini into Cancer on July 13 will take the planet of action from our minds to our solar plexis. The actions we take will be based less on intellectualization to actions driven by intuition and emotions. In other words, it’s time to get out of your head and into your soul.

Finally, all of this is happening during a Water Grand Trine Transit formed by Jupiter (expansion) in Cancer/trine Neptune (spirituality) in Pisces/trine Saturn (learning/teaching) in Scorpio that started flowing in June and will go exact July 17 before trickling itself out by mid-August. Grand Trines (when three or more Celestial Bodies are in 120 degree aspect to each other, forming an equilateral triangle) symbolize a fortunate aspect that if not used wisely is wasted. That said, this Water Grand Trine is yet another sign to let your emotions, feelings, intuition and creative ability flow into a heightened spiritual awareness and/or awakening (as long as they result in positive outcomes, of course!).

Now, if you lay this overall Sky Picture over your natal birth chart and look to the respective Astrological Signs, Planetary Rulers and Houses of all of these Celestial Bodies (Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune, Mars, Moon) and see that their transiting aspects form direct aspect to your natal chart, then you should pay extra attention…for you will have the most to gain…should you choose to. Even if you don’t have this information at hand, you’ll be able to pinpoint how these aspects might be affecting you if you just open up your heart, mind and eyes to what is going on with you and around you. Remember, just follow your intuition and be open to the healing and nurturing that is embodied by the Water Element.

“You’ve heard the adjective Mercurial. These folk are adept, quick thinkers, and eccentric and diverse…you never know which one of the Twins will appear… .”

Gemini (May 21-June 21), the sign of the Twins, is the third of the Zodiac Signs. Generally, Gemini Star Signs suit their Planetary Ruler Mercury quite well. The planet is the closest one to the Sun in our Solar System and, as a result, it has the fastest path around the luminary, with what is called an eccentric orbit. Apparently, it’s the swiftness of the planet moving across the night sky that was observed by ancient Roman astronomers, thus, leading them to name the planet after the Roman winged-footed messenger god, Mercury. This swiftness and eccentricity have made Mercury an elusive capture for astronomers, allowing only one side or part to be viewed at a time. Apparently, because of this, it’s the least studied planet in our Solar System. Until recently, that is. NASA’s aptly named probe, the MESSENGER, has dutifully provided a complete map of the planet — and not in one take, mind you, but many! Completely mapped for the first time this year, the images reveal a planet that’s more complex and dynamic than first thought (from its dense geology to its varying daily surface temperatures and difficulty to access, requiring a number of complex orbits by the probe). Like the Planet, there is more to those born under this Planetary Ruler than can be seen in “one take.”

You’ve heard the adjective Mercurial. These folk are adept, quick thinkers, and eccentric and diverse in their own right (you never know which one of the Twins will appear…the chatty or shy one, the involved or aloof one, the funny or serious one, etc.). It’s no accident that Geminis can be hard to grasp and hold on to! This is made only more so with the sign’s Element of Air. Think of trying to grasp a wisp of fog or smoke and to hold onto it…It’s light, ever-changing — and impossible to do. The best thing to do is let these folks form to the moment, as is wont of Mutable Signs anyway: They usually have no trouble adapting to new situations and people — in fact, variety is really their spice for life. If a situation (or the people) doesn’t change up, they will flit off like a butterfly in search of some new curiosity. This can make them fun companions who are always game to try something different. The Element and Quality of Gemini also allows them to leave one “scene” for another, whether it’s a relationship, job or home, with ease and without much emotional ado (unlike that a Fixed or Water Sign might exhibit). This ability to move on easily is admired by some and loathed by others. That said, most who really know a Gemini soul can’t deny their generally lighthearted and sweet natures. However, Geminis would do well to keep their addiction to variety in check, for it can place them in danger of becoming scattered and unable to focus as they flit about life. This addiction can also manifest as fickleness. A plan made is a plan that can change with these folks. While their need to keep their minds agile with diverse interests remains with them for a lifetime, their fickleness does tend to abate as they mature — and as the people in their lives mature and finally accept to enjoy the spice they can add to life. Fun or frustration? That’s up to you!

The House of GeminiGemini’s natural home in the Zodiac Wheel is in the Third House, the House of Communication and Travel (short trips), among other things. So, if a person’s Third House is ruled by Gemini and/or if he/she has a Celestial Body residing there, they are likely noted for their communication style and as someone who needs a lot of action and diversity, which can often be satisfied through socializing and travel. What that means is when they are wearing their “Talkative Twin” face, don’t be surprised to find them out and about in the ‘hood or at a party chatting it up with the person nearest to them (anyone will do!). Or if they have on their “I’m Bored Twin” face, be ready to take off on an adventure for the day or weekend, or be left behind — they’ll go without you and find someone else to join in on the fun.

“Remember, Elements describe the general temperament of your personality. Qualities describe the general modus operandi of your personality…”

Did you realize there is more to an astrological profile than the Star Sign (aka Sun Sign, Birth Sign) you were born under? In fact, your astrological profile is a complex and multi-layered, making you unique. In basic terms, it involves a Sun, Moon and Ascendant Star Sign, with each equally important. Then you have your planets, each with an astrological sign. Plus, all of these signs have characteristics assigned to what are called Elements (see our post, What’s Your Element…) and Qualities. We have written about the Elements, but here we want to give an overview of the Qualities. Remember, Elements describe the general temperament of your personality. Qualities describe the general modus operandi of your personality: There are three Qualities in total (Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable) with four signs assigned to each.

Cardinal is the Quality for the Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn astrological signs. Cardinal signs represent the cardinal points on a compass, with Aries representing East, Libra/West, Cancer/North and Capricorn/South. Note, that on a birth chart, the “compass” points are opposite of what we normally consider north, east, west, south directionally). This Quality and its associated Signs corresponds with the Natural Houses, which are angular (remember from our Basic Architecture of a Birth Chart post that there are 12 Houses), of the Zodiac Wheel: Aries in the 1st House of You; Cancer in the 4th House of Home, Libra in 7th House of One-on-One Relationships and Capricorn in 10th House of Career. They also herald the beginning/end of each of the four seasons…making way for change, new life, possibility. Generally, folks with Cardinal quality are self-starters, leaders, and dynamic. if they’re not careful, they can run roughshod over others.

Fixed is the Quality assigned to Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. These folks tend to be very stable with depth of purpose, but sometimes they can lose sight of flexibility in situations that actually warrant (and succeed with) a change of opinion or approach. This Quality represents the “middle” of each season, or the “stable” part or the status quo/routine of a season. If you change the routine for some of these folks, they can dig in their heels like no other! The best thing is to ease them into a change, or make it seem like their own idea! That said, you’d want these folks on your side in any battle. They can be stalwart champions.

Mutable is the Quality assigned to Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. Mutable signs change “with the wind,” able to adjust to whatever the demands are of the moment. They also can take on characteristics of the other two Qualities, making them highly adaptable to situations. Because of this adaptability, they often can offer the remedy that is called for in a particular situation. On the job they can be excellent managers. This Quality corresponds with the end/beginning of each a season, a time of transition and acceptance that it’s time to move on to what’s next.

To determine what your personality’s Quality actually is not just about your Sun Sign (Birth Sign) is. A birth chart analyses should take into account the Qualities of your Sun, Moon, Ascendant and planets, and then tally them in total (For more on what makes up a birth chart, read Basic Architecture of Birth Chart). You could have a Cardinal Sun but Mutable Moon and Ascendant, and planets having all three Qualities. In that case, with your Moon and Ascendant and several planets of Mutable Quality, it’s likely you’d exhibit more Mutable Quality characteristics that that of the Element of your Sun Sign, Cardinal. So you see, there is much more to your Star Sign—and you’re a complex and unique individual, maybe similar to others in some ways, but truly with your own birth personality.

“The reputation of solar eclipses (and Lunar) have come a along way — from once being thought of by astrologers (and anyone who cast a gaze skyward) as omens of doom to “opportunities” in modern times.”

The New Moon and Annular Solar Eclipse on May 9-10, 2013, takes place in the Astrological Sign of Taurus. Astrologically speaking, the Sun rules our essence, our vitality. Similar to Lunar Eclipses (April’s Scorpio Partial Eclipse), Solar Eclipses can offer opportunities for new beginnings. The difference between the two being that those of the Moon can influence our emotional self, while the Solar variety can influence our basic essence or vitality. To take advantage of these opportunities, both involve a conscious decision to perform inner work, but with Solar Eclipses, the goals and results tend to manifest in more tangible, outward results. This particular eclipse offers opportunities to embrace new energy for those who have Celestial Bodies with which the Sun, and New Moon, come into direct aspect. Since it occurs in Taurus, Fixed Signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius) stand the most to gain this time around—if they do the work. This is especially so for those of you who have a Sun, Moon, or Ascendant in Taurus that is within a few degrees or less of the Eclipse.

The House that Taurus rules in your natal chart, and to a certain extent the House where Taurus’ Ruling Planet Venus resides, is where these new energies can play out. For example, if Taurus rules your 1st House, you might take the opportunity to focus on how you present yourself to others, possibly by making an effort to be the life of the party or of your social scene. If it rules your 2nd House, you could decide to focus on your personal finances so that you feel more secure, such as by initiating or enhancing a longterm savings plan for that rainy day (or that certain luxury item!). Furthermore, opportunity lies where you have any natal Celestial Bodies in tight conjunction with the Sun in Taurus or residing elsewhere in your chart that are in hard aspect (opposite or square) to the Eclipse. These opportunities would manifest specifically to that Celestial Body’s interpretation. For instance, if the transiting Sun is conjunct Jupiter in the 11th House (Groups, Organizations, Astrology, Aviation), you might find that you want to become engaged in a volunteer organization or community project, even as the leader.

Another “node” of importance: The Solar Eclipse is always opposite the Transiting North Node. In this case, the transiting NN is in Scorpio. It is popular astrological thought that the angle/point the natal NN forms in your chart symbolizes the path you need go, or “grow”, toward in this lifetime. The same could be said of the Transiting North Node’s Sign and House placement at the time of a Solar Eclipse: The Sun illuminates the path to the NN, on the opposite side. In this case, the NN in the Sign is Scorpio. For example, if the Sun (Solar Eclipse) is transiting your 11th House in Taurus, then the NN is transiting your 5th House (Creativity, Sports, Love, Children), it could be that you use the energy you gain from the 11th House to open up your creativity or vice versa.

Not to complicate matters further, but Venus also transits on May 9, from its comfy home sign of Taurus to Gemini (the sign of variety, communication and business). Since Venus is the Planetary Ruler of Taurus, it could take along some of the Solar Eclipse in Taurus energy with it, conjuring up a variety of opportunities for you!

Omen or Opportunity?The reputation of solar eclipses (and Lunar) have come a along way — from once being thought of by astrologers (and anyone who cast a gaze skyward) as omens of doom to “opportunities” in modern times. Now, what you choose to do with the opportunity is the catch (remember free will). Will you choose to be a couch potato and let change slip by, or will you choose to use this special eclipse energy to get up and make something happen in your life that will positively impact who you are for the longterm?Our suggestion, especially to those of you who have Fixed Sun, Moon or Ascendant Signs and directly aspected Celestial Bodies: Get off the couch, make a longterm plan for positive change and take the first step to act on it. And, as we’ve said before, all else will follow.

Astronomically SpeakingUnlike a Lunar Eclipse that always occur with a Full Moon, the Solar Eclipse always occurs with a New Moon. As myastrologylife.com understands it, with an Annular Solar Eclipse, the Sun and Moon are in direct line with each other, but due to the moon’s elliptical orbit around Earth and the Earth’s around the Sun, the moon appears smaller than the Sun. The result: the Sun forms a small ring (aka annulus) of light around the Moon’s outer edge.Long ago (possibly as far back as 700 B.C. and maybe up to at least 800 A.D., it was a popular theory that the Moon was “shining” during this sky event. (This was likely during partial and annular eclipses). It wasn’t until the early- to mid-19th century astronomers understood (thank you telescopes) that this “shining” was actually light from the Sun!

Shown: Annular Solar Eclipse on May 20, 2012. Taken from Red Bluff, California, by Brocken Inaglory. It’s reported by NASA that those living Down Under as well as in French Polynesia have the best chance of catching a glimpse of 2013’s Annular Solar Eclipse.

2013 Solar & Lunar Eclipse Schedule

Partial Lunar Apr. 25 in Scorpio

Annular Solar May 10 in Taurus

Penumbral Lunar May 25 in Sagittarius

Penumbral Lunar Oct. 18 in Aries

Hybrid Solar Nov. 03 in Scorpio

Myastrologylife.com makes every effort to share knowledge throughout our website and social media that is fact checked and researched. However, please let us know if we have presented inaccurate and/or incomplete information so we can rectify any misinformation.

“Transiting CBs, depending on which ones they are, can have brief influences lasting less than a day (transiting Moon) to several days (transiting Mercury) or even years (transiting Pluto) as they come into contact with each of your natal CBs.”

Do you know the difference between your “natal planets” and “transiting planets’? First, when we say “planets” we say this loosely and also mean it to include luminaries (Sun and Moon). So we generally reference “planets” as Celestial Bodies when speaking of them as a group. Each one of us has the same CBs in our birth charts: Sun, a Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. The difference is in their positions at the time of each person’s birth. Imagine that a chart’s wheel is like a lock’s tumbler, you “turn” it until it clicks into place, finding the “combination” for the celestial bodies at your birth time. And there they will remain for your entire lifetime. Maybe a simpler analogy is that it’s a snapshot or birth print of capturing the sky’s architecture at time of your birth. As a result, if your Sun sign is 16 degrees Libra in the 6th House, it will always be 16 degrees Libra in the 6th House. If your Mars is 13 degrees Pisces in the 12th House at the time of your birth, your natal Mars will always and forever be 13 degrees Pisces in your 12th House (that planet of action is going nowhere!) This snapshot or birth print is exactly what we look at in the Birth Personality Profile.

Now, onto transiting “celestial bodies”. First, celestial bodies are not “ours,” they are the universe’s, or specifically, our Solar System’s. As you know, the celestial bodies are constantly in motion, or orbit. When one or more of these transit, or come into contact with, one or more of our natal celestial bodies, angles or points during its orbit, this contact might impact you in some way. This is exactly what we are looking for in the Major Transiting Planets Analysis…If the transiting CBs are contacting one or more of your natal CBs at a certain time or period of time and, if so, how it might affect you. Transiting CBs, depending on which ones they are, can have brief influences lasting less than a day (transiting Moon) to several days (transiting Mercury) or even years (transiting Pluto) as they come into contact with each of your natal CBs. Knowing this additional information can be very helpful to each of us in navigating through our lives. For example, if transiting Mercury is conjunct your Midheaven (the highest angle/point of achart that represents one’s public life, career, life’s goal) you could experience communication or travel related to your career.

Shown: sample birth chart for Albert Einstein with the transiting CBs in blue on the outer edge of chart wheel and the natal CBs within the chart wheel, in their Natal Houses. The different colored lines all represent aspects the transiting are forming with the natal CBs, as well as those formed between the natal CBs.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20), the sign of the Bull, is the second of the Zodiac signs. Generally, Taureans are practical, cozy and affectionate folk who enjoy the “good life” as in all things that its planetary ruler, Venus, represents…music, food, good friends, the best of the best. They are slow to anger but you can count on them usually having a good reason to become furious when they do. Consider the Bull…if they do get mad, you better hope it’s not while they’re in a in a china shop (or at least that you are not with them)! The good news is that their anger generally doesn’t last long and they move back to the wide-open fields to happily graze and rest among the flowers, preferring the more passive life than the bull fight…Read: Ferdinand the Bull. (The Bull is also a symbol for Wall Street: Taureans generally excel with their finances, which is why Taurus is the Natural Ruling Sign for the Second House, the House of Value.) The Element for Taurus is fixed, so they can be immovable in their ideas, opinions and decisions. That said, they can achieve much in whatever they pursue because of their single-minded focus. And if their routine or comfort place is changed, they can be quite the pouters and a force de la resistance. Like their wrath, their decision making is slow and cautious, but rest assured that, when they do finally make a decision, they have no doubt or regrets about their decision and will go full force to support it or implement it. And that holds true when and if they ever have to defend or support their own. This loyalty, along with their Venusian attentiveness, to Venusian loved ones is a heady spell that often dispels any frustration with what can be otherwise a slow and stubborn nature that is not so tolerable in “lesser” Sun signs. Embrace and bask, in yourself if you are a Taurus Sun Sign, or loved by one.

Taurus Sun in the Houses
If you or a loved one are a Taurus Sun, do you know which House your Sun (or theirs) resides? If not, see if any of these general descriptors fit you or your familiar (not withstanding hard aspects if they exist):

1st: Good-natured, extroverted, friendly, appearance saavy, possible battles with weight control due to a healthy enjoyment of all things culinary, but overall solid health.

2nd: This House, the House of “Value” is the Natural House for Taurus. A knack for money matters and for spending it on yourself, but only if the items are of worth and quality; can tend to indulge in extravagance, but might be less so with others, at least those that are not in your inner circle.

3rd: You bring your Venusian flair but with a down-to-earth manner to how you communicate, whether it’s by way of the written word or your oral prowess, making it hard for others to resist your entreaties; often sought for comfort and advice by those near you.

4th: With Taurus generally having a natural knack for finances, having your Sun here might indicate success in real estate and/or antiques or the “past”. It’s likely you will not only want to surround yourself with beauty in your own home but also showcase your appreciation for beauty as well as your appetite for the culinary…for your own enjoyment and for others.

5th: Here, in the House of Creativity, the Bull folk can shine thanks to their natural love for beauty and talent, and for creating it around them (at least for themselves!). Whether that creativity manifests as an artist, musician, athlete, venture capitalist, or parent, they will strive to shine.

6th: With the Sun here people will trust your cozy, honest, and unassuming nature, indicating someone who is in service to others—this could present itself in the form of a financial advisor or even a personal chef!

7th: Having a Taurus Sun here, in the house of one-on-one relationships, is indicative of a business-type relationship, whether it’s for business or romance. If you are both out for financial security and share a bit of taste for power, it will be a harmonious union, but with benefits of the Venusian touch.

8th: The five senses so familiar to Taurus, no matter where the Sun resides, will be emphasized here, especially toward physical pleasure and financial gain through other peoples finances.

9th: Any Sun Sign placed here indicates a romantic soul who wants to see and experience the world through travel, spiritual encounters, and even then more so by sharing their experiences or philosophies gained, with others. This is especially so with Taurean Suns. The challenge will be to leave the comfort of your routine and surroundings, but if you can break away from these, you will thrive and then wonder why you had such a hard time making the decision to do something so enriching! Just remember that the next time the opportunity comes your way to explore, don’t get stuck and not take it!

10th: Here, your career, status and reputation are the highlight. As a Taurus Sun, you will want to show the world your best side, from your affable, solid, trusting personality to one who is and is surrounded by the best…clothing, spouse, home, car and a reputation for giving a good party. As a result, the public will likely find you a comforting, practical sort who is easy to trust and follow.

11th: Those with their Taurus Sun placed here can be preoccupied with status, particularly the status of those with whom they surround themselves. They can seek friends and social circles that will assist in their goals and ambitions. That said, these folks can be solid, reliable and loyal friends, and are often known for giving a good party, offering a comfortable and safe place for all to let their hair (s) down!

12th: A Taurean Sun here can indicate a soul who will use his/her financial resources (or be handy at finding such resources) for the disadvantaged and/or for spiritual causes, and the glowing reputation that will earned as a result. They can also devote time to creative activities, but these will likely be behind the scenes, more to replenish their energies than for others to see.

Myastrologylife.com makes every effort to share knowledge throughout our website and social media that is fact checked and researched. However, please let us know if we have presented inaccurate and/or incomplete information so we can rectify any misinformation. We too are only humans after all:)

“And, to be fair, even a birth certificate might not be wholly accurate. Things happen during and after that incredible moment…”

Why is knowing your birth time so important? The key to a birth chart is the locations of the Celestial Bodies (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, Pluto) and angles/points (North Node) at the exact time of your birth. It is also the only way to accurately determine your Ascendant, or Rising Sign, which in turn determines the houses in which the CBs and Nodes reside in your chart. And, to be fair, even a birth certificate might not be wholly accurate. Things happen during and after that incredible moment. Including forgetting to record the exact time of that moment, which in turn could lead to some fudging on the ‘ole certificate! If it’s more than a few minutes off of your true birth time, it will produce information that is incorrect. This we would know if there is some information that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. It is possible to rectify a chart to come up with the correct birth time, but this is still not the most accurate and it takes more time and will cost more.

What is an Ascendant? In basic terms, it is the zodiac sign that was rising on the eastern horizon (or the First House) at the time of your birth. The traits and qualities of this sign manifest in your outward appearance to others. By knowing what is in your First House, we can determine what Houses (there are 12 total) everything else falls into in your chart. If we only have your birth date and year, we can determine the signs of your CBs but not the Houses or degrees. For more detail on this and the basic structure of a birth chart, read the post, Basic Architecture of a Birth Chart.

“Having a combination of these Conjunctions, Oppositions, Squares and Trines/Sextiles is actually a good thing, with the red and yellow aspects indicating opportunities for personal growth, success, genius and inspiration, often with much hard work, but well worth it! … Or not.”

For those of you who might be unfamiliar with birth charts, we thought it would be a good idea to describe to you the basic architecture of a birth chart against a visual of an actual birth chart. This will help give you a reference point should you have an analysis done (and is included) and it will also help you with some of the common vocabulary used throughout myastrologylife.com’s content. We will build upon this post with others, adding more information each time, so it might be easier to absorb and learn. And there is always Google should you desire to investigate things further in the meantime. Just be careful in your research and to be sure to confirm your “answers” by finding at least 3 sources that offer similar information. There can be a lot of varying information floating around our virtual world, and much of it can be misleading. OK, on to the “lesson”. Please reference the image as you read.

1) Houses are represented on the 360-degree Astrological Wheel by the pie-shaped pieces. There are 12 total, usually of varying sizes using the Placidus House System. Houses 1-6 are below the horizontal line, beginning with the First House on the left (or eastern) side, below the dark horizontal line. Houses 7-12 are above the horizontal line, with the 7th house the first one on the right, above the horizontal line. Each House varies in size and represents an area/areas of one’s life. Generally, the Frst House represents Self, Second Value; Third Communication/Nearby Community/Short Distance Trips/Primary Education; Fourth Home/Parent/Ancestors; Fifth Creativity/How We Love One-on-One; Sixth Service/Health/Day-to-Day Work; Seventh One-on-One Partnerships; Eighth Sex/Other People’s Finances & Property/Occult/Inheritance; 9th Religion/Philosophy/Foreign Travel/Higher Education; 10th Career/Public LIfe/Parent; 11th Groups/Organizations/Friends/How Others Love Us; 12th Hidden Matters/Karma. Mind you, the meanings listed here are generally the primary ones for each house, but by no means the finite list.

Astrological Sign Symbols

2) The Symbols on the outer ring of the chart Astrological Wheel are the Astrological Signs. As with the Houses, there are 12 Astrological Signs, each representing 30 degrees of space. The natural order of the signs is: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces (more on that in another post). Whatever Sign begins a House is considered the House’s Ruling Sign. In this chart Cancer is Rising (First House). Then the signs follow in consecutive order from that point on. Cancer is followed by: Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus and ending with Gemini Ruling the 12th.

3) The various Symbols you see scattered within the Houses are the Celestial Bodies (often just referenced as planets and luminaries). These are the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto. Additionally there are important angles/points included in a birth chart, including the Ascendant (always represented by the Astrological Sign that rules your First House) and the North Node (the earphone shaped symbol). Each one of these has a place in your chart, falling in a House and in a Sign. For example, this person Sun is in the 10th House/Pisces; Moon in the 6th House/Sag; Jupiter 9th House/Aquarius; North Node 8th House/Aquarius. Can you find them?

4) The green lines indicate Trines and Sextile, aka harmonious, aspects between the CBs or angles they connect. For example, here, Moon/6th/Sag is Trine Venus/10th/Aries; Sun 10th/Pisces is Sextile Mars/7th/Capricorn and North Node/8th/Aquarius.

5) The red lines are Oppositions, a hard aspect, which represent areas where there is a sort of “tug of war” between the CBs or angles they connect In this case there is only one opposition—Jupiter/9th/Aquarius Opposite Uranus/3rd/Virgo (barely).

6) The yellow lines are Squares, another hard aspect, forming a tension between the connected CBs or angle. An example here is Pluto/11th/Taurus Squares Uranus/3rd/Virgo (barely).

7) The small red lines are Conjunctions, also considered a hard aspect, but one that’s “easier” than the others, providing an emphasis or intense focus of energy between the CBs or angle. Here, there’s only one: Mars/7th/ Capricorn Conjuncts North Node/7th/Capricorn.

These aspects all are determined by the angles/degrees (within a margin, not exceeding 10 degrees) between the CBs and angles/points involved. For example, a Trine represents 120 degrees between two (or more) CBs and/or angles/points, give or take up to 8ish degrees; a Sextile 60 degrees within margin; an Opposition 180 degrees within margin; a Square 90 degrees) within margin; and a Conjunction 0 degrees within margin (in case of a Conjunction 2 degrees or so).

Having a combination of these Conjunctions, Oppositions, Squares and Trines/Sextiles is actually a good thing, with the red and yellow aspects indicating opportunities for personal growth (Wayne Dyer), success (Steve Jobs), genius (Einstein) and inspiration (Deepak Chopra), often with much hard work, but well worth it! The green aspects represent areas of ease that can be capitalized upon to help manifest a positive outcome of the squares and oppositions, especially as you mature. Or not. Sometimes it can depends on how you allow these aspects affect your personality and choices. At myastrologylife.com, despite any struggle there might be, we choose to focus on the positive side of the coin, and you can, too.

There are several more aspects, all determined by the degrees between them, but the aforementioned three are the basic and most common ones to be concerned about for now.

Note: The colors used to represent the aspects are myastrologylife.com’s…and much to the chagrin of one astrologer colleague…and are not necessarily industry standard.

BTW: Can you guess whose chart this is? There is an Easter Egg, but we’ll be sure to tell all soon.